Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos this summer. According to recent reports, the Gunners are moving closer to sealing a move for the Greek international during this summer transfer period. It is believed the North London outfit are planning to complete a £16m move for the Greek centre-forward in the next few weeks and thus making him Unai Emery’s first signing at the club.
Sokratis has put in a number of outstanding displays for Dortmund during the course of last season which has not gone unnoticed. Some sources are now claiming that the Gunners are all set to snap him up this summer with the North London club currently finalising the nitty-gritty of the deal.
The Dortmund star has one year remaining on his current contract with the Bundesliga giants which could mean that the German side will be ready sell him this summer rather than risk losing him for free next year. The 29-year-old had featured in 43 matches for Dortmund last season and has three goals to his name across all competitions. He has also earned 75 international caps for the Greek national team during his career so far.
The Gunners of North London only managed to earn a 6th placed finish in the Premier League last season which will see them not feature in the UEFA Champions League for at least another year. Hence, Emery is in dire need to bring in some top-class players in this summer transfer window so that he can revamp his squad and build for the future.
The addition of Sokratis will undoubtedly bolster Emery’s defensive options ahead of the new season. Arsenal have a whole host of defenders such as Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Nacho Monreal, Rob Holding and Callum Chambers vying for a starting berth in Emery’s first-team. The potential acquisition of Sokratis will add more competition for places within the Gunners squad and improve their team significantly in the upcoming campaign.
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At 29, the Greek international still has a few years left in him to play at a high level which the North Londoners could look to utilise in the coming years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Sokratis and whether the Gunners are successful in convincing him to join Unai Emery’s revolution at the North London club next season.
